Children and adults trick-or-treat on Halloween 2017 at stores and restaurants in Town Square.
Friday, Oct. 29, 2021 | 2 a.m.
Many Halloween traditions such as trick-or-treating and other outdoor activities should go on relatively normally this year without fear of transmitting COVID-19, Nevada public health officials say.
The news comes as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky told cable news anchor Chris Wallace that kids should “put on those costumes, stay outside and enjoy your trick-or-treating.”
Walensky added that being vaccinated against the novel coronavirus will be key for stopping its spread during Halloween and the rest of the 2021 holiday season. Additionally, the CDC updated its complete list of guidance on holiday celebrations on Oct. 15.
“It's critically important that we gather, that we be together with family and friends during these holidays,” she said, “and we have the prevention strategies that we know work to be safe for those holidays. So what I would say is get yourself vaccinated before you gather; it will absolutely be safer if you're vaccinated.”
Trick-or-treating has a lower risk for transmitting the virus because it takes place outside and interactions are generally short, the Nevada Health Response said in a news release. Still, the agency said the best way to avoid infection is to be up-to-date on vaccination.
“Vaccination is the leading public health prevention strategy to end the COVID-19 pandemic,” the agency said. “Influenza vaccinations are also vital to preventing respiratory disease. Promoting vaccination can help Nevadans safely return to normal activities.”
Jace Radke, a spokesman for the city of Las Vegas, said no restrictions would be put in place for residents, regarding COVID-19 constraints. The same goes for North Las Vegas, police public information officer Alexander Cuevas said. Henderson said it is adhering to CDC guidelines, which mirror the guidance put out by the NHR.
In addition, Henderson reminded the public of nonvirus-related safety tips in a video posted to its Facebook page. Among them: wear bright or reflective clothing if trick-or-treating after dark, cross the road only at marked crosswalks, and never go inside a stranger’s home.
Cuevas encouraged parents to download the Offender Watch app, which offers a map of registered sex offenders that can help parents avoid certain houses or neighborhoods, if they choose.
Aside from vaccination, NHR recommends those going trick-or-treating to use a cloth or surgical mask with their costume and not to substitute with a traditional Halloween mask. Limiting time spent at crowded doorways, social distancing and washing hands before eating candy are also measures the agency says should mitigate spread.
For those handing out candy, NHR recommends frequent hand-washing and staying masked up. Nevadans with a smartphone can also download the COVID Trace app that will notify them if they’ve likely been exposed to COVID-19.
In addition to guidance on trick-or-treating, NHR also divided festive activities into low, moderate and high-risk activities:
Lower risk activities
Carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household.
Decorating your living space.
Virtual activities, like Halloween costume contests, pumpkin-carving contests or a virtual scary movie night.
Moderate risk activities
Carving or decorating pumpkins outside with neighbors and friends.
Small gatherings in an open-air environment, such as an outdoors costume parade and proper social distancing or a visit to a pumpkin patch.
Higher risk activities
Going to an indoor haunted house where people may be crowded and screaming or attending an indoor party.
The health response encourages frequent hand-washing and said all Nevadans should get vaccinated.
Outdoor activities are generally safer than indoor gatherings and all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, should wear a mask in indoor spaces or crowded outdoor settings.
Those feeling sick should stay home and avoid contact with others if: you have recently tested positive for COVID-19 and are in the isolation period, awaiting the result of a COVID-19 test, are sick or have any household member showing signs of respiratory infection or COVID symptoms, or if you believe you have been recently exposed to somebody with COVID-19.
Anybody who believes they have been in contact and are at risk of testing positive for COVID-19 should stay home for 14 days after their last contact with the point of exposure, NHR said. Contact a health care provider if symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath appear, and, if possible, stay away from people you live with, especially those at high risk for getting “very sick” from COVID-19.
